Thailand cave rescue to get Hollywood treatment with two potential movies

Royal Thai Navy(LOS ANGELES) — When 12 boys and their soccer coach hiked into a cave in Thailand last month, they never expected they’d be thrust into the international spotlight — let alone be the subject of two potential Hollywood movies. But the harrowing ordeal has inspired director Jon M. Chu to create a movie about the rescue efforts just a day after Pure Flix Entertainment announced it would do the same, Variety reports.

Chu, best known for directing Step Up, Crazy Rich Asians, and Now You See Me 2, took to Twitter to announce his interest in the story — and his goal to avoid whitewashing.

“I refuse to let Hollywood #whitewashout the Thai Cave rescue story,” he wrote, referring to the practice of casting white actors in non-white parts. “No way. Not on our watch. That won’t happen or we’ll give them hell. There’s a beautiful story about human beings saving other human beings. So anyone thinking about the story better approach it right & respectfully.”

Michael Scott, of the faith-focused production company Pure Flix, announced Tuesday he’s also interested in pursing the story in a feature format. He’s been at the rescue sight since the beginning, as he lives in Thailand.

“The bravery and heroism I’ve witnessed is incredibly inspiring, so, yes, this will be a movie for us,” Scott told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s not necessary to make this a Christian film, just an inspirational one.”

The boys’ ordeal started June 23 when rising water trapped them inside a cave. After an exhaustive international rescue effort, the last of the boys and their coach were safely rescued Tuesday.